UPbeat

News for and about University of Portland faculty and staff.

Rev. Mark L. Poorman C.S.C.

Rowena Bramlette, You Are Missed

The University of Portland community lost one of its most treasured colleagues, Rowena Bramlette, former associate vice president for budgeting and a member of the UP class of 1988, the night of January 23, after an extended battle with cancer.

A service will be held for Rowena on Saturday, February 1, at 10 a.m., in the Chapel of Christ the Teacher. A reception will follow in the Pilot House.

In keeping with Rowena’s wishes, feel free to wear bright colors reflective of her smile.

According to a campus-wide message from University president Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., “Rowena was a person of extraordinary warmth, kindness, and generosity of spirit.  In the course of her work in our Budget Office, she had the opportunity to interact with every division and department across campus. She was a dear colleague and friend to so many at UP, and she will be deeply missed.” Rowena retired on March 1, 2019.

Please remember Rowena and her husband, Rod, and her family in your prayers.

Thomas G. Greene, Thank You

University of Portland provost Thomas G. Greene will retire from his position effective June 30, 2020, according to University president Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C. According to Fr. Poorman, “In our University’s proud 118-year history, there are few individuals whose devotion and love for UP matches that of Dr. Greene’s.  He is the epitome of what a twenty-first century Provost should be.  Our institution’s sadness to be losing such an admired and transformational leader is surpassed only by our gratitude to have counted him as one of our own and our joy for the promise of his happy retirement spent alongside family and friends.”

Greene joined UP in 1983 as an adjunct instructor in the School of Education. Before joining the UP faculty full time in 2004, Green had a long and distinguished career in public education. Among many other posts, he served as principal of East Orient School in Gresham, superintendent of the Orient School District, and assistant superintendent of the Beaverton and Gresham-Barlow School Districts. At UP he held leadership positions as associate dean of the School of Education (2004–07), associate provost and dean of the Graduate School (2007–12), interim dean of the School of Education (2009–10), and interim provost (2012–13) before being named the University Provost in 2013. A brilliant and dedicated teacher who is devoted to his students, Greene has carried a credit hour load every fall and spring semester since 1983 in addition to his significant administrative leadership duties.

He has overseen approval of several new degree programs, guided the University’s sustained successes in undergraduate enrollment, supervised the University’s rise in graduation rate, established and revitalized centers and institutes, hired and mentored critical senior academic leaders, coordinated complex reaccreditation, compensation, and curriculum projects; and assisted with the development of various capital projects. In addition to his immense leadership talents and dedication to mission, many across our University community will miss his quick wit, his warm smile, and the sheer, unabashed joy he brought to his work on The Bluff.

Further details regarding the national search for Greene’s successor will be communicated in the months ahead. Please join the the University community in sending best wishes to Tom, his wife Shannon, and his family for a retirement filled with happiness.

For more information contact the president’s office at x7101 or president@up.edu.

Watzke Accepts Graduate School Dean Position

School of Education dean John Watzke has agreed to accept an additional appointment as Dean of the Graduate School, according to University president Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C. His appointment is effective immediately.

Watzke has ably led the School of Education (SOE) since 2010. During that time, the SOE has frequently been home to the University’s largest population of graduate students. He has successfully launched several community engagement programs, established a doctoral program, and built upon the SOE’s reputation for excellence. Recently, he led institutional efforts in support of Strategy B of UP’s strategic plan, “Vision 2020.”  Strategy B focuses upon expanding the University’s relevant, excellent, and self-sustaining graduation education programs.

Please join the UP administration in thanking and congratulating John Watzke for accepting this additional responsibility to serve the UP community.

2019 Commencement Honorees: Nominations Welcome

The University of Portland invites nominations for the 2019 commencement speakers, Christus Magister Medal recipient, and honorary degree recipients. All nominations should be emailed to poorman@up.edu and greene@up.edu and should contain the following information:

  • Name of nominee.
  • A paragraph or two answering the following question(s):
    • If a nominee for Christus Magister Medal: How has this nominee evinced a vigorous spiritual life and an accomplished professional career in service to others?  How has this nominee been a source of inspiration and consolation to the world?  How has this nominee illustrated and enhanced the mission of the University of Portland?
    • If a nominee for Honorary Degree: How has this nominee contributed to the University’s values of teaching and learning, faith and formation, and service and leadership?  What impact has this person had on his/her local community and/or the world?  Is this a person that the University would like for its students and faculty to imitate in their own lives?
    • If a nominee for Commencement Speaker: Why would this nominee be an exceptional Commencement speaker?  What sort of message would this nominee deliver to the graduates of the University and their families?
  • Any contact name(s) for the nominee (if possible).
  • Any connection between the nominee and the University of Portland (if applicable).

The deadline for nominations is Friday, October 26.

Elsie Franz Finley Memorial Service, Sept. 18

Businesswoman and philanthropist Elsie Franz Finley, sister of the late Robert “Bob” Franz, passed away on August 14 at the age of 97. There will be a Memorial Mass for her on Tuesday, September 18, at 2:30 p.m., in the Chapel of Christ the Teacher. A reception will follow in the Bauccio Commons Boardroom. University president Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., will be the presider and Rev. E. William Beauchamp, C.S.C., president emeritus, will be the homilist.

Elsie, a lifelong resident of Portland and Vancouver, Washington, was preceded in death by her husband Don Finley, her brother Bob, and by her parents Joseph Franz and Elizabeth Streib Franz.

“Elsie was a very humble woman, but one whose generosity over her lifetime has left a lasting legacy for the University of Portland community,” said Fr. Poorman. “She was a dear friend and we will deeply miss her.”

Elsie grew up in the Laurelhurst neighborhood and later moved to Milwaukie. After graduating from the University of Oregon with a degree in business administration, she went to work for the family-owned First State Bank of Milwaukie alongside her brother, Bob Franz, and her husband, Don Finley. In 1982 Pacific Western Bank merged its subsidiary banks to form PacWest Bancorp and a merger with KeyCorp followed in the mid 1980s.

As generous contributors, Elsie and her brother Bob had an enormous impact throughout Oregon and Washington, especially at the University of Portland and Providence Health & Services. A Life Regent of the University, she is remembered as a quietly dedicated philanthropist whose focus on Catholic causes left an indelible legacy on our campus and in the City of Portland.

In 1995, Elsie and Bob gave a gift that enabled Franz Hall to be built, which transformed academics at the University of Portland. They later established the Franz Chair in Entrepreneurship and the Franz Center for Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation. Their intent, as Bob said, was to help make the University “one of the major educational institutions on the West Coast. In order to do that, somebody had to step forward.”

Most recently, Elsie Franz Finley’s generosity furthered the support her brother’s estate had established for the Franz Campus and enabled the School of Nursing to make much-needed renovations to its lab and simulation spaces.

Our prayers and condolences to Elsie’s family and friends and many admirers.

Administration Promotions, President’s Leadership Cabinet Appointments Announced

University president Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., has announced that Andrea Barton, general counsel, and Sandy Chung, associate vice president for human resources and interim title IX coordinator, will be promoted to Vice President and General Counsel, and Vice President for Human Resources, respectively, effective July 1, 2018.

Barton joined the University of Portland in January 2017 as General Counsel and Special Assistant to the President. She oversees all legal matters on behalf of the University and advises the University and members of the campus community in connection with higher education issues.

Chung joined the University of Portland as Director of Human Resources in December 2015. In 2017 she was promoted to Associate Vice President for Human Resources and in May 2018 was named Interim Title IX Coordinator. She has extensive experience in human resources, and is also a member of the California and Oregon State Bars.

There are also four new appointments to the President’s Leadership Cabinet: Rowena Bramlette, who has been promoted to associate vice president for budgeting; Eduardo Contreras, assistant provost and studies abroad; Elise Moentmann, associate provost; and Matthew Rygg, associate vice president for student development.

An Earth Day Challenge: What Can You Do To Help?

This April, Fr. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C. and the Presidential Advisory Committee on Sustainability (PACOS) are challenging the students, faculty, and staff of the University of Portland to make a commitment to take at least one tangible step that is within your own control toward increasing sustainability on campus.

Turn off your office lights? Use a reusable container for your lunch? Recycle your bottles and plastics? Adjust your thermostat? Regardless of your academic major, or whether you work in a classroom, residence hall, the Commons, or in the field or in an office, you can make a difference.

All through the month, we’re asking you to make a commitment and share it with us. It might be something you choose to do individually or a challenge you take on as a team within your dorm or department. Inspire others! Share your commitments via sustainability@up.edu. Then we’ll share them with the rest of the UP community through The Beacon, upbeat, and on our website.

At the end of the month, the most impactful sustainability commitment will be recognized and the individual or team who made the commitment will be featured in various campus media. Have questions? E-mail us or look for the PACOS table in the Bauccio Commons on Earth Day, April 22.

 

2017 Red Mass, Sept. 18

The Garaventa Center invites all faculty and staff to this year’s Red Mass, which celebrates those entrusted with the law in our nation, on Monday, September 18, at 5:30 p.m., in the Chapel of Christ the Teacher. The Mass is also open to the public. University president Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., will be the principal celebrant and Rev. Gerry Olinger, C.S.C. university relations, will offer the homily.

The Red Mass is an ancient tradition in the Catholic Church, going back to medieval times, wherein the Holy Spirit is invoked at the beginning of the legal season to guide all those administer the law. The red vestments worn by the priests symbolize the Holy Spirit who descended on the Apostles in the form of tongues of fire on Pentecost and whose wisdom is implored to guide the Church and the Nation.

For ADA accommodations or more information: garaventa@up.edu or x7702.

Lenten Reflections with Holy Cross Series, March 22 & 29, April 5

University president Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., will present “Welcoming the Stranger: Hospitality and Christian Discipleship” as a guest of the Lenten Reflections with Holy Cross speaker series at Holy Redeemer Church (25 Rosa Parks Way). He will speak at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22, and the lecture is free and open to all.

On Wednesday, March 29, Rev. Jeff Cooper, C.S.C., will present “Encountering the Demon at Gerasa: A Lenten Spirituality for Recovery of Self” at 7 p.m., at Holy Redeemer Church.

Brendan Ryan, C.S.C., a Holy Cross seminarian, will present “The Cross and Lenten Hope” on Wednesday, April 5, at Holy Redeemer Church.

For more information contact Rev. John Dougherty, C.S.C., Holy Redeemer Parish, at frdoughertycsc@gmail.com.

2017 State of UP Address, Feb. 28

All are welcome to join University president Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., as he presents the 2017 State of the University address on Tuesday, February 28, at the Sentinel Hotel in downtown Portland (4th floor, 614 SW 11th Ave). Door open at 11:15 a.m., and the program will take place from noon to 1 p.m.

For more information, please e-mail Hannah Pick at pick@up.edu or call x7397.